The U.S Supreme Court outlawed segregation of white/black people in 1954. In 1965 the Civil Rights Act ended segregation in public schools. In 1965 the Voting Rights Act prohibited racial discrimination in voting. These laws apparently have not changed the reality on the ground.
The “Black Lives Matter” movement, begun in ernest in 2020, is trying to show the world the double standard that is still applied to people of colour all the time by law enforcement in particular and society in general. They call attention to the prejudice and injustice they still experience based on the colour of their skin.
Women won the right to vote in 1920 in the U.S. The Women’s Liberation Movement emerged in the 1960’s and continued through the 1970’s where it sought equal rights and opportunities for women. They created campaigns to raise awareness on issues of reproductive rights, maternity leave, equal pay for equal jobs as well as domestic violence and sexual harassment.
The “Me Too” movement shows that women are still fighting against sexual harassment. This movement is trying to heighten awareness of the continued sexual exploitation of women by men in powerful positions.
The annual June Gay Pride parade (commemorating a 1969 raid and riot in NYC) has spread around the world. It began as a platform to attempt to raise awareness of inequalities for gays and lesbians. Their fight centered around non discriminatory policies in employment and housing, military bans for service and expanding hate crime legislation. Although the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, their fight for equal rights also still continues.
These examples are American but the issues exist around the world to greater and lesser degrees. How unfortunate it is that in the 21st century people still have to fight for basic human rights? When will we accept people based on our common humanity. Imagine 8 billion empowered people working together?
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